Hello guys !

I'm reaching you up because I'm on a mustang restoration project and I would like to make some pieces in carbon fiber. But I don't really know if on a structural level it will be possible, let me explain.

i have 3 pieces that I would like to do,

1- Rear taillight panel.

This part is normally weld to the rear quarter panel and around the trunk for structural rigidity, so the first question is, if I do a mold of it and the all piece in carbon fiber, could I "weld/glue" it to the other metal part and keep the strength of the original point weld ? 
If not the other way of having the result I want is to partially cover the piece in carbon, like I'll leave the edge in metal for the welding thing, and once the piece is weld in place, I'll cover the visible parts. I think it's less expensive because I don't have to make a mold, but will the finish be as nice ? And most important how to carbon fiber properly just a part of a piece? 

2- Hood
I think this one is the "easiest" piece I want to do, modify my existing hood like I want and either, mold it then carbon fiber the all piece, or just wrap it, vacuum bag it and go. Will depend on my budget... 
For all the parts I'm more into the look of carbon fiber than the efficiency, but of course if the budget allow it, I'd rather like to have full carbon pieces for weight ^^ 

3- Cowl vent 
For this part it's quite the same problem than the rear. 
I plan to cut the upper piece (all around above the front holes that you can see) to be able to get into it, do a proper sanding repaint and so on.
But I would like this piece to be carbon fiber too to match the hood. Soooo same question if I do a mold and a carbon piece, how could I "weld" it back to metal sheet it's set on?
Or just a wrap with no vacuum begging possibility will have a good finish?

Thank you all for the help!
Julien

Where you are suggesting welding, with composites you would be bonding with structural adhesives. You may need to adapt your edges of the metal panels AND the composite panels to make a nice large bonding surface area.

In terms of overall strength, with enough layers of fabric, you should easily be able to match the stiffness, however the overall "strength" is a very subjective term.  Metal and composites behave very differently under heavy load and ultimately failure.  eg metal body panels will absorb energy through crumpling and bending, composite structures will fail by cracking, splintering etc. 

So you need to consider from a safety perspective if that is critical for those areas of the car or not. If its not likely to be an issue, then the moulding process shouldn't be too tough in this case.  A bit of detail to work around light housings/ vents etc but doable.

The hood should be largely entirely a "conventional" hood/body panel process. Just follow the videos we have made and ideally go down the infusion route if you can. 



Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant